Rocket problems

[giley69]

Hi there.

I have noticed over the past few weeks that the rocket is coming along nicely but is covered with tiny holes... the other salad leaves that I am growing haven't been touched... just the rocket... Do you think it is being attacked by something!?

Also, how when is a suitable time to start picking the salad leaves? not sure what height they should be before I snip away.

Any help would be great to new starter.

Giley

[miffy]

Hi,
I know that flea beatles attack some salad crops and they leave little tiny holes, when you brush your hand over your crop do lots of little critters jump up? If so it is deffo flea beatles. The organic way to get rid of these fellas is to smear a piece of card with treacle, hold the treacle side face down and rub your hand over the rocket, as they jump up they stick to the treacle!!
As far as cutting goes, i cut my rocket when it is about six/eight inches high, i snip along the row taking a few leaves here and there rather than snipping all the leaves on the plant this allows them to recover.
Be careful with rocket in the hot weather as it tends to bolt,this means it runs to seed and becomes very bitter, you will see taller shoots coming up with green flowers on. You really need then to get rid of it as it won't taste nice.
Good luck with your crop

[giley69]

Thanks for the reply-that's really useful. Do you think I should sow some more? I think the rocket is ruined now with all those holes in the leaves.

[miffy]

I have bought some cut and come again mixes that have been really nice, why not try some of those? The holes shouldn't change the taste i wouldn't have thought they just don't look that nice, it is something you have to get used to when you grow your own, things are not picture perfect like in the supermarket but what they lack in the perfection stakes they more than make up for in the taste stakes. Try it see what you think and if you feel it doesn't taste as good, dig it up and plant again.

[giley69]

Thanks miffy!

To be honest, the holes are very attractive - I assume that if I wash them well, they might be OK.

All of the other salad leaves are fine - although the lollo rosso is very slow coming up!

I have now read up on flea bettles and will hopefully have another go at growing rocket, using a little fleece to speed up germination, so they aren't seedlings for long etc I am not sure if I want to go down to route of pesticides etc...

[Flummery]

You can do it with a bit of wood with vaseline on. However, I don't actually like rocket that much! The flee beetles are welcome to it.

[gojiberry]

I get the odd crop decimated by the flea beetles, but don't bother with pesticides. I just resow in a different place on the lottie. I must admit that since growing in modules and transplanting most stuff I haven't noticed the little perishers.

Ian